Opting out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment
March 23, 2014
Back in the days of the WASL, and even before that, parents had the right and ability to opt their children out of assessments, surveys, and other activities. You can still opt out your child from the Smarter Balanced Assessment which assesses the learning of Common Core State Standards. The Smarter Balanced Assessment, meant to be done mostly on computers, will be phased-in between 2015 and 2019. (See OSPI website for phase-in information.)
We have concerns about the amount of personal data that could be collected through this assessment. In addition to asking straightforward personal questions, the assessment also poses open-ended questions in the math and language arts sections. Responses reveal not just a possible answer but also the student’s mode of thinking.
Keep in mind that this is an assessment, not a test. A person or a computer will make a judgment about how closely the student’s response matches a rubric — a predetermined set of acceptable answers. It is not a test which deals with right or wrong answers (such as 36 x 5 = ?) and which will always yield the same score no matter who grades it. (Read our paper: Lies, Damn Lies, and the Myth of Standardized Tests. )
Our friends at Stop Common Core in Washington State have some excellent points and advice on opting out. Read their article .
There are several sample opt-out forms on various internet sites. Here one sample opt- out form that you can use, or amend to suit your situation.
It is interesting to note that even the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction admits a student may opt out. See the 3rd question on their FAQs.
Be forewarned, however, that the school staff will not be happy because the untaken test will count against them, and subtle retaliation has been known to occur.
Back in the days of the WASL, and even before that, parents had the right and ability to opt their children out of assessments, surveys, and other activities. You can still opt out your child from the Smarter Balanced Assessment which assesses the learning of Common Core State Standards. The Smarter Balanced Assessment, meant to be done mostly on computers, will be phased-in between 2015 and 2019. (See OSPI website for phase-in information.)
We have concerns about the amount of personal data that could be collected through this assessment. In addition to asking straightforward personal questions, the assessment also poses open-ended questions in the math and language arts sections. Responses reveal not just a possible answer but also the student’s mode of thinking.
Keep in mind that this is an assessment, not a test. A person or a computer will make a judgment about how closely the student’s response matches a rubric — a predetermined set of acceptable answers. It is not a test which deals with right or wrong answers (such as 36 x 5 = ?) and which will always yield the same score no matter who grades it. (Read our paper: Lies, Damn Lies, and the Myth of Standardized Tests. )
Our friends at Stop Common Core in Washington State have some excellent points and advice on opting out. Read their article .
There are several sample opt-out forms on various internet sites. Here one sample opt- out form that you can use, or amend to suit your situation.
It is interesting to note that even the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction admits a student may opt out. See the 3rd question on their FAQs.
Be forewarned, however, that the school staff will not be happy because the untaken test will count against them, and subtle retaliation has been known to occur.